Statement on Passage of HCR 68

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – All kids need a place that is safe and stable to grow up in, and every parent and young person needs a place to live that is affordable given their income. However, rising housing costs, slowed construction, and natural disasters have made it increasingly difficult for families to find and afford safe places to live across the Commonwealth. [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 199 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Along with Bloom Kentucky, we are celebrating as House Bill 199 passes the Kentucky House to expand access to safe and healthy prenatal and birth options. HB 199 seeks to remove the certificate-of-need requirement for freestanding birth centers which will allow Kentucky to expand access to safe alternatives to hospital delivery for families. Although there are now [...]

By |2024-03-26T16:26:07-04:00March 26th, 2024|Bloom Kentucky, Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Kentuckians: We Need Your Input on Tools Needed to Address Opioid Use in Your Community

By Andrew Alvey, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates As Bloom Kentucky has detailed, the opioid crisis has significantly impacted all of Kentucky’s communities. In 2020, Kentucky had the third-highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States. This statistic shows the urgency with which we must come together to create opportunities for healing and resilience. With support from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, Kentucky Youth Advocates is leading a project to collect [...]

Deep Dive on Senate Bill 2 & Its School Safety Measures

Senate Bill 2 of 2024, sponsored by Senator Max Wise, is what can be considered a continuation of the work he championed with the late Representative John “Bam” Carney in 2019 with the Kentucky School Safety and Resiliency Act. The work catalyzed by the tragedy at Marshall County High School in January 2018.  The challenges of ensuring the physical and emotional security for both our students and educational staff call for innovative and comprehensive solutions.  [...]

By |2024-03-13T11:59:18-04:00March 13th, 2024|Blog, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

Statement on Passage of HB 199 by the House LO&AR Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Maternal health is critical to babies’ birth outcomes and how new mothers fare, and it relies on access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. We appreciate Representative Jason Nemes and the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulation Committee for recognizing the need to address gaps in the Commonwealth for equitable access to care with today’s passage of [...]

By |2024-03-06T09:56:12-05:00March 6th, 2024|Bloom Kentucky, Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Here’s To Another Year of Promoting a Well-Being System!

On January 5th, 2021, Kentucky submitted a letter of intent to join the national Thriving Families, Safer Children movement to equip and empower individuals and communities to support families. Our overall goal as one of the participating site teams was to establish universal health promotion for children, youth, and caregivers through proactive protective strengthening. Simply put, we want families to readily have what they need to be whole and manage life so they can stay [...]

By |2024-03-04T12:11:03-05:00February 29th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

Statement on Passage of SB 2 by the Senate Education Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – The safety of students as they grow into thriving adults has been an increased concern of the General Assembly for several sessions. It is clear that safety must be defined as far more than simply school discipline or a secured facility. We have to make a commitment to building resilience through proven support systems in behavioral and mental health [...]

Getting a Clearer Picture: Kinship Caregiver Resource List

By Norma Hatfield, kinship caregiver and president of the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky As a grandmother who has navigated the child welfare system while caring for two of my grandchildren, I found that I was desperate for information; especially at the beginning when you get the kids. Oftentimes, the kids come with what they are wearing at the moment and you have nothing else. You are starting all over.   Even more so,  I [...]

By |2024-02-22T16:46:25-05:00February 22nd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

CAW 2024 Retreat: Empowering Kentucky’s Youth to Light the Way

Two weeks ago, Frankfort became a buzzing hub of youthful energy and advocacy as over thirty dynamic young individuals from every corner of the Commonwealth convened for Kentucky Youth Advocates' annual youth retreat. This gathering, held on the eve of Children’s Advocacy Day, was not just any retreat – it was a vibrant confluence of minds eager to shape the future. Groups including KYA’s Health Youth Ambassadors, REFORM Louisville, True Up, and YouthBuild Louisville [...]

Statement on Passage of Pro-Family Tax Credit Measures by U.S House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On the last day of January, kids and families were put first. And, Kentucky Congressmen Barr, Comer, Guthrie, and McGarvey were vital players in making that happen! The four of six Kentucky Congressmen who joined with their U.S. House colleagues in passing H.R.7024 – Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 – began a process that can impact tens [...]

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